A new beginning for Gemma and Ghost
When Gemma arrived at our Manchester centre, she found more than a companion in Ghost. She found a fresh start.
When Gemma walked through the doors of our Manchester centre, she wasn’t just looking for a companion – she was also looking for a fresh start. She found both in Ghost.
After working as a dog handler for the police for over eight years, a serious incident with an unknown dog turned Gemma’s life upside down. The experience left her with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), forcing her to leave the job she had dedicated her life to. Amid the uncertainty, she found new hope when she met Belgian Malinois Ghost.
Love at first sight
Gemma first met Ghost at our Manchester centre in August 2023. “There was just something about him,” Gemma recalls.
At only seven months old, Ghost didn’t have much life experience and had likely missed out on some key socialisation as a puppy. He’d been given up by his previous owner and needed a fresh start, just like Gemma.
Gemma spent some time getting to know Ghost, to make sure they were ideal match. “What I liked about adopting with Dogs Trust, you get lots of help and there’s no rush," says Gemma.
"You spend lots of time with the dog, and they give you everything you need and make sure you’re okay before you go home. They keep in regular contact, and there’s a helpline that you can ring for any questions.”
Gemma took her time but says “I knew Ghost was the right dog for me.”
Training, training and more training
Gemma had a lot of experience training dogs, but Ghost was very energetic, even for her. With all that energy, he could sometimes get overstimulated and spin, bark, and chew things. So Gemma put a training plan in place, with short sessions throughout the day to keep him focussed.
Gemma also wanted to get him used to as many different environments as possible. “Ghost came to me with no life experience, but now he’s been abroad, gone on a ferry, everything. And coped with it really well.”
It wasn't long before Ghost had mastered walking calmly on the lead. And he soon became a pro at being around people and places he used to find overwhelming before.
“He's an ongoing project,” says Gemma. “I've done lots of training to help him stay calm, and now I can take him somewhere where it's very busy and he'll focus and walk to heel nicely."
He took to his training so well that Gemma enrolled him in competitive heel work. Ghost now has an amazing array of awards, including countless ‘best in show’ titles, three consecutive ‘champion of champion’ trophies and one very special award for most improved dog.
Ghost with some of his many trophies
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A life-changing friendship
Ghost now helps Gemma live a happy, independent life as her psychiatric assistance dog. “He has the most beautiful and gentle soul,” says Gemma.
“Ghost has got me out of the house. I was struggling mentally, but since I’ve had him, I want to get out and do training with him. Ghost has got me through so much. He’s given me dreams of things in the future to do.”
Gemma also enrolled in a three-year course on dog behaviour to understand Ghost even better. Ghost would even go to University with Gemma, another new environment for him, and an incredible support for her.
Ghost has changed my life in the best way.
Gemma
“I sometimes struggled while I was at university, as it’s a lot of new people. I thought about giving it up. But when I was sad, Ghost would lean on me and bury his head under my arm as if to say ‘it’s ok’, and it made me feel better," says Gemma.
Gemma finished her degree with a first.
After two years together, Ghost has come on leaps and bounds. And so has Gemma. “I've had so many people say to me, I can’t believe the difference from last August to now,” says Gemma. “Ghost has changed my life in the best way, and I am so proud of him.”
Gemma adds that Ghost was her first rescue dog, and she wouldn’t hesitate to adopt from us again.
People sometimes overlook adopting rescue dogs as they think it’ll be too hard. But with any dog, you have to put the work in, and you’ll get something amazing on the other side.
Gemma
“It doesn’t matter what that dog has gone through before you look to adopt; all they want is unconditional love.”
Gemma and Ghost’s story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the dog you rescue ends up rescuing you right back.
Big dogs like Ghost are sadly more likely to be overlooked and spend longer in our care. Could you give a big dog a fresh start like Gemma did for Ghost?
Meet dogs like Ghost
You don’t need an appointment to visit dogs like Ghost at your nearest rehoming centre.
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